lichen — c.1600, from L. lichen, from Gk. leichen, originally what eats around itself, probably from leichein to lick (see LICK (Cf. lick)). Originally used of liverwort; the modern sense first recorded 1715. Related: Lichenaceous … Etymology dictionary

lichen — The dominant pronunciation of the plant name is liy kǝn (as liken), although lich ǝn is also heard in BrE (though not in AmE) … Modern English usage

lichen — ► NOUN ▪ a simple plant consisting of a fungus living in close association with an alga, typically growing as a crust or covering on rocks, walls, and trees. DERIVATIVES lichened adjective lichenous adjective. ORIGIN Greek leikh n … English terms dictionary

lichen — [lī′kən] n. [L &LT; Gr leichēn, prob. &LT; leichein, to LICK] 1. any of various small plants composed of a particular fungus and a particular alga growing in an intimate symbiotic association and forming a dual plant, commonly adhering in colored … English World dictionary